Bureau of Reclamation in Washington |
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| Overview | The centerpiece of the Columbia Basin Project is Grand Coulee Dam which, in addition to providing storage water for irrigation, is one of the world's largest hydroelectric powerplants. Grand Coulee Dam also provides flood control, recreation, and benefits for fish and wildlife. Activities in Washington east of the Cascades are administered through the Upper Columbia Area Office. Western Washington activities are administered through the Lower Columbia Area Office. Upper Columbia Area Office Grand Coulee Power Office |
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| History | Although Washington has abundant annual precipitation compared to the rest of the Western states, most of it occurs during the winter. During these months, water is in less demand than in the summer growing season, when rainfall is infrequent east of the Cascade Range. Summertime water shortages and winter floods have plagued Washingtonians since the first settlers arrived in the Columbia River Basin in the early 1840s. To combat the dry growing season conditions, settlers employed primitive irrigation techniques to bring water to thirsty croplands. Because these techniques resulted in lowering the river levels, the diversion facilities could no longer be used, leaving Washington settlers with the same water shortage. Following the creation of the Reclamation Service in 1902, construction began on Washington's first Reclamation constructed irrigation project. The Okanagan Project, begun in 1905, brought water to thousands of acres of croplands. In 1935, construction began on Grand Coulee Dam, the first feature of the Columbia Basin Project to utilize the irrigation and hydropower potential of the Columbia River. Other projects developed by Reclamation, notably in the Yakima Valley, contributed to modern-day Washington's reputation as the "fruitbowl of the nation. |
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Last Update: February 29, 2008 1:50 PM |
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